Tod durch Schokolade - death by chocolate!

Guten tag and Bonjour! I just had breakfast in Switzerland, am heading to France for lunch, and then I am going to have dinner in Germany tonight. This traveling thing is just so rough! ;o) I hope everyone had an amazing Canada Day! And for my friends in cowtown...the countdown is on for Stampede. Giddy up! So if you're not sportin' a Canada Day hangover, please allow me to enlighten you with some things about Switzerland. The St. Bernard pass in Switzerland was given its name due to the monestery that was established in the 11th century. The monks provided a hospice to weary travellers and those that got caught in bad weather while crossing the pass. The St. Bernard dog came to the pass around the 17th century. Their amazing sense of smell coupled with their stamina and ability to withstand freezing conditions make them an incredible rescue dog. The St. Bernard dogs would always work in pairs because it was impossible for the monks to keep up with them when they were searching for lost travellers. The dogs were trained so that one dog would dig out the victim, lay on top of them to keep them warm, and lick their face to remove the snow (plus provide a barrel of brandy), while the second dog would go and fetch the monks. Holanda...lemme guess...you want a St. Bernard, right? The Swiss have some pretty funky traditions. Highlights include "broom stick dancing", "playing the cowbells", "blowing the alpen horn" (no comments Drizz), and of course "yodelling". They also have "flag throwing", which is to the Swiss as what hockey is to us Canucks. Really? What sounds cooler...I scored three goals and took major for fighting...or...I tossed a flag in the air and caught it behind my back. Hmmmm...I'll take the boy on skates. Some other things that I learned while in Switzerland: if you drop your bread (or whatever you're dipping) in the Swiss Cheese Fondue...as a man, you need to buy a bottle of wine for everyone at the table to enjoy...and as a woman, you have to kiss the person to your left. (Chris & Gary...ready to fondue?) Another tidbit: the Swiss eat more chocolate per capita than any other country. On average, each person eats about 22lbs of chocolate each year. The government subsidizes farmers that have more than 3 cows and provide 10,000 Swiss Francs per cow (most herds only get up to 25 to 30). Ironically, it costs 10,000 Swiss Francs to send your kid to school. You can open up a Swiss Bank account for about 5 Swiss Francs (SF)...but within 12 months, you have to have a minimum of 100,000 SF in your account. Yesterday we climbed a mountain - with the help of a gondola for most of the way. Half way up they had a funky obstacle course built in the trees. They also had cables through the trees that you can harness yourself to and then 'zip' through the trees and over valleys filled with mountain streams. Hooter - wanna zip in Switzerland? The mountain had houses/farms for the first half of it and as your gondola is gliding over them you can hear the clanging of the cow bells attached around the cows neck. The swiss cows are a smoky color and its so amazing to listen to their bells rattle as they graze the mountainside pasture. I found that things in Switzerland are bloody expensive. My grande latte from the bucks was 7.20 SF and the Canadian dollar is on par with the franc...so that equals one damn expensive shot of caffeine. Kristen, Sharon, and I were craving Thai until we saw the prices...7.50 SF for one spring roll and 27 SF for one dish. We went for kebobs instead. Vicki and I went for a walk last night after dinner and climbed to the top of a hill where a large fort and castle towers were. We found a little hedgehog scampering down the street and of course I chased him and was almost close enough to pet the little guy. His name is 'Bruiser'. On our way back down the hill, my sandle slipped off my foot and I landed awkwardly on my middle toe and broke it. It is a groovy shade of purple and black right now. Good times. I think the chocolate fondue that I had for dessert may have contributed to some extra weight coming down on my delicate little toes and they really didn't stand a chance. Ein Weilchen auf der Zunge, ewig auf der Hufte (a moment on the lips, forever on the hips). I only have a few more days left and I am really looking forward to coming home. Being in Switzerland, surrounded by the mountains, has made me a little homesick. It may be interesting to get out of London too. (Mom, if you're reading this....please don't read any further). I am scheduled to fly out of London on Saturday and that happens to be the 2 year anniversary of the London bombings. I'm sure you've heard on the news over the last week or so about some of the things that have been happening with attempted bombings, both in London and things headed to London. In addition to that, the Tour de France is starting in London for the first time ever and guess what weekend it starts? Yep...this coming weekend. People are advising to go to Heathrow 5-6 hours before your flight. Good times. Well, my friends, I best be on my way. Miss you all, Giff